highway was named in honor of Captain J. C. Fremont, who explored central Oregon in the fall of 1843. For data about Captain Fremont, see under FREMONT. The name Fremont Highway was suggested by Robert W. Sawyer of Bend, and it was adopted by the Oregon State Highway Commission August 30, 1927. For article about Captain Fremont and Fremont Highway, by John W. Kelly, see magazine section, Oregonian, March 18, 1928.
FREMONT MEADOW, Deschutes County. This little natural meadow is on Tumalo Creek in section 34, township 17 south, range 11 east, and lies within Shevlin Park, property of the city of Bend. Captain John C. Fremont and his exploring party camped in this vicinity on the night of December 4, 1843, and mentioned following an Indian trail southward to a meadow, obviously on Tumalo Creek. In Septemebr, 1855, the officers of the Pacific Railroad Surveys, Williamson and Sheridan, followed a trail southward to the same locality and met Abbot who was traveling north. The position given is that of the meadow in question and the description is accurate enough for a check. This indicates that the Indian trail crossed Tumalo Creek at this meadow, sometimes called Upper Meadow, the same place used by Fremont in 1843. In January, 1943, the city of Bend and some interested residents asked to have the name Fremont Meadow adopted, which was done by the USBGN later in the year.
FRENCH GULCH, Baker County. French Gulch is in the vicinity of Auburn and it was an important place at the time of the eastern Oregon gold rush of the early '60s. Some French miners operated in this gulch and it got its name on their account.
FRENCH MOUNTAIN, Lane County. This mountain lies southeast of McKenzie Bridge. It was named during World War I in honor of the French people. Just east is English Mountain, named at the same time.
FRENCH PETE CREEK, Lane County. This stream is an important tributary of South Fork McKenzie River. Smith Taylor told the compiler that it was named for French Pete, an early day sheepherder, who ranged his band along the stream. The compiler has been unable to get the rest of French Pete's name, but the omission may not matter.
FRENCH PRAIRIE, Marion County. French Prairie lies in the Willamette Valley, between the Willamette River and Pudding River, north of Salem. Its general elevation is less than 200 feet and it is well shown on the USGS map of Mount Angel quadrangle. The prairie was named for the early French-Canadian settlers, most of whom were former employees of the Hudson's Bay Company. Early days on French Prairie are described by H. S. Lyman, in reminiscences of Louis Labonte in OHQ, volume I, page 169. For similar article by Lyman, reminiscences of F. X. Matthieu, including list of French-Canadian settlers, ibid, page 73. For article about settlement of French Prairie, by Oswald West, ibid., volume
XLIII, page 198.
FRENCH SETTLEMENT, Douglas County. This locality is mentioned under the heading CHAMPAGNE CREEK. It was a few miles northwest of Roseburg. A post office with the name French Settlement was in operation from August 10, 1874, until December 14, 1874, with John M. Wright postmaster. The place was named for a number of FrenchCanadians who established a colony there in the '50s.
FRENCHGLEN, Harney County. Dr. Hugh James Glenn was born in Virginia in 1824 and spent his youth in Missouri, where he was married
